It depends on what you value most. The Horizon Mini IX is worth the difference if you want a nearly invisible completely-in-canal design and professional fitting across 20 adjustment bands; if budget and self-fitting are priorities, the Lexie is the more practical choice.
hear.com Horizon Mini IX vs. Lexie Powered by Bose
Check out our comparison of the hear.com Horizon Mini IX vs Lexie Powered by Bose. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Published Updated
Quick Verdict
AI summarizedSummarized with AI assistance from our human-researched product information, in-lab testing, objective sound measurements, and expert ratings.
The real choice here is professional-fit discretion versus self-fit affordability: the Horizon Mini IX is a nearly invisible, professionally fitted device that costs roughly $4,050 more than the self-fitting Lexie Powered by Bose.
Horizon Mini IX
Choose the hear.com Horizon Mini IX if you want a tiny, nearly invisible completely-in-canal aid fitted and fine-tuned by a hearing professional across 20 adjustment bands, and the roughly $4,050 price gap over the Lexie is acceptable for that level of custom fitting and discretion.
Powered by Bose
Choose the Lexie Powered by Bose if you want a self-fitting, rechargeable receiver-in-the-ear aid you tune yourself through an in-app hearing test at a much lower price than the Horizon Mini IX.
What actually separates them
AI summarizedCare model: professional fitting vs. self-fitting
SpecThe Horizon Mini IX is a prescription device that a hearing professional fits and adjusts across 20 bands; the Lexie is an OTC device you tune yourself using its in-app hearing test, with no professional required.
Price gap
PriceLexie is the cheaper pair by roughly $4,050, a difference large enough to be the deciding factor for most buyers unless the Horizon Mini IX's discreet form and professional fitting are priorities.
Form factor and visibility
SpecThe Horizon Mini IX is an instant-fit completely-in-canal design built to be nearly invisible, while the Lexie uses a receiver-in-the-ear design that sits differently in the ear and is not aimed at the same level of discretion.
Product Overview
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Form Factor
Form FactorNon-custom device that typically sits completely inside the ear canal. Some of the device may be visible to the naked eye.
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.2
User Rating
—
2.65 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
HearingTracker Score
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE
This rechargeable device offers iPhone and Android call streaming, a new recharging case, and an in-app hearing test for personalized sound customization.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.6EXCELLENT
Lexie B2 Plus achieved a SoundScore of 4.60/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #4 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.
Build Quality
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.6EXCELLENT
Lexie claims all of their products have an IP rating of 67 which is near the maximal egress protection for hearing aids. Beyond this, I found B2 well built with a good button click feel and robust portable charging case.
Battery
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.0AVERAGE
Lexie B2 has a reported battery life of 18 hours so it should last all-day for most people. It takes only 3 hours to recharge in its case which also doubles as a portable charger thanks to the internal power-bank.
Bluetooth
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
3.0BELOW AVERAGE
B2 does offer audio streaming though it is unfortunately limited to iOS devices. I found B2’s streamed audio quality mediocre but it is a useful feature to have for those of use using Apple products.
App Features
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.0AVERAGE
The phone app is one of my favorite features of B2. It is simple and visually pleasing while offering excellent personalization. Lexie has recently added an in-app hearing test making it even better.
Comfort
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
B2 is a rather sleek receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. I found its comfort similar to that of prescription hearing aids and experienced no issues wearing it long-term (even with glasses).
Design
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
Lexie B2 offers a sleek design similar to modern prescription hearing aids from major manufacturers. One potential downside is that it is only available in Gray, with no other color options.
Value
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE
Lexie B2 Plus has a value score of 4.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
I had no issues adjusting B2 with the app or rocker switch. I found the physical buttons sufficiently large and tactile offering a good click feel when depressed.
Pro Support
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
2.0BELOW AVERAGE
One downside to Lexie B2 is that you are limited to phone or email based technical support. Fortunately, B2 and their phone app are fairly user-friendly and you will likely not need regular assistance.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Horizon Mini IX
Lab recordings not yet available
Powered by Bose
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Horizon Mini IX
Lab recordings not yet available
Powered by Bose
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Horizon Mini IX
Lab recordings not yet available
Powered by Bose
HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.
Hardware
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
No
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.
No
312
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
No
Yes
Software Features
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
20
No
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
e2e wireless 4.0e2e wireless 4.0Control coupling, synchronization, binaural directionality, Spatial Speech Focus, CROS/ BiCROS.
No
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
Binaural OneMic directionalityBinaural OneMic directionalityEach CIC receives the sound and information not only from its own microphone but also from the microphone of the other hearing aid. This creates a virtual four-microphone network, allowing the pair of hearing aids to create a directional beam. In addition, the natural pinnae effect of the outer ear supports this directionality and makes the listening experience even more natural.
Yes
Echo ReductionEcho ReductionThis feature improves speech audibility by reducing the “blurring” of speech sounds that can occur in the presence of echoes.
Auto EchoShieldAuto EchoShieldAutomatically creates a more comfortable hearing experience in high-reverb environments leading to increased speech clarity and natural room perceptions.
No
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
12kHz
No
Extended Dynamic RangeExtended Dynamic RangeExtended dynamic range typically makes louder sound clearer. This may help with the reproduction of loud music or loud speech in a very noisy environment.
Yes
No
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
Feedback cancellationFeedback cancellationHigh-speed monitoring and control of feedback risk in individual processing channels.
Yes
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
6
No
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
SoundSmoothing™: 3SoundSmoothing™Reduces the sound of clattering cutlery and rustling newspaper, etc.
Yes
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
48
12
Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.
No
Tuned based on hearing test through device
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
Yes
No
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
Advanced Focus Streams: 3
No
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
eWindScreen binauraleWindScreen binauralBinaural processing of the audio signal (using Ultra HD e2e) delivers superb performance in asymmetrical wind environments.
No
Bottom Line
AI summarizedThe Verdict
This isn't a close call on price — the Horizon Mini IX costs about $4,050 more than the Lexie, so it needs to justify itself on fit and form factor alone.
It does that with a completely-in-canal design meant to be nearly invisible and a professional fitting process with 20 adjustment bands, which suits buyers who want a hearing professional dialing in their sound and don't mind paying for it.
Which is right for you?
The Lexie makes sense for buyers comfortable self-fitting through its in-app hearing test and who want a rechargeable aid without the cost or commitment of a prescription device. If invisibility and hands-on professional adjustment matter most to you, the Horizon Mini IX is the better fit; if budget and self-service setup matter more, the Lexie is the practical choice.
Before you buy
AI summarizedBook a fitting for the Horizon Mini IX
Ask the fitting professional to walk through the 20 adjustment bands so you understand how much fine-tuning is available for your specific hearing loss.
Run Lexie's in-app hearing test carefully
Since the Lexie is self-fit, take the in-app hearing test in a quiet room and redo it if your environment or hearing changes, since there's no professional adjusting it for you.
Compare the discreetness you actually need
Weigh whether the Horizon Mini IX's completely-in-canal size is worth its price gap over the Lexie's receiver-in-the-ear form, which is less discreet but far cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
AI summarizedYes for the Horizon Mini IX — it's a prescription device fitted and adjusted by a hearing professional. The Lexie is an OTC device you fit yourself through its in-app hearing test, with no professional visit required.
The Horizon Mini IX is built as an instant-fit completely-in-canal device specifically designed to be nearly invisible. The Lexie uses a receiver-in-the-ear design, which sits differently and is not built around the same level of discretion.
Yes — the Lexie is a self-fitting OTC device, and you tune it yourself using an in-app hearing test rather than through a clinic visit. You can redo the test any time your hearing or environment changes.